HR 33 would expand Medicare to cover dental, vision, and hearing services for beneficiaries, which are currently not covered under Medicare. The bill provides 100% coverage for preventive dental services in 2024, with basic dental services gradually increasing to 80% coverage by 2027. Vision coverage would include routine eye exams and corrective lenses at 80% coverage, while hearing services would cover hearing exams and hearing aids at 80% coverage. The bill includes specific limitations, such as two dental cleanings per year and one pair of glasses every 24 months, with the Secretary of Health and Human Services having authority to apply additional limitations or modify coverage based on medical recommendations. The changes would take effect on January 1, 2024.
The FDA Modernization Act 3.0 requires the FDA to issue a final rule within 180 days of enactment to implement regulations for nonclinical testing methods used in drug development. This affects pharmaceutical companies developing new drugs by establishing standardized requirements for preclinical safety testing before human trials. The bill also makes a technical amendment to renumber a subsection related to clinical trial diversity plans, clarifying existing provisions without changing their substance. The key change is the FDA's obligation to finalize these testing regulations, aiming to modernize the drug approval process.
HRES 152 is a non-binding House resolution supporting existing state "move over" laws, which require drivers to move over a lane or slow down near emergency responders on roadways. It directly affects all drivers by promoting awareness of these safety laws, which aim to protect emergency workers, tow operators, and stranded motorists. The resolution urges federal, state, and nonprofit groups to increase public education about these laws, citing that 50 traffic responders were killed in roadside collisions in 2022. It emphasizes that raising public awareness - identified as the top challenge by state officials - is critical to improving road safety.
This bill requires the Department of Defense to achieve net zero energy across its non-operational facilities (fixed installations, enduring locations, and non-tactical vehicles) by December 31, 2034. It mandates annual reporting on the ten highest-emission military installations, establishes an Energy and Climate Resilience Fund to finance climate-related improvements, and introduces new contracting requirements that give preference to contractors using green manufacturing technology. Contractors not producing as much renewable energy as they consume will pay a 1% fee on Department of Defense contracts. The bill also requires annual assessments of climate change impacts on military installations and incorporates climate resilience into DoD strategies and base realignment decisions.
S 5523 clarifies U.S. government assistance programs focused on destroying landmines, unexploded ordnance, and securing weapons stockpiles in partner countries. It authorizes the Department of State to fund humanitarian demining (clearing landmines to return land to farming and development) and secure weapons destruction (preventing diversion to terrorists and reducing accidental explosions). This directly affects over 120 countries receiving U.S. assistance since 1993, including civilians in conflict zones who benefit from cleared land, risk education, and safer communities. The bill codifies existing practices by specifying that these programs aim to improve food security, reduce migration drivers, and strengthen security partnerships without adding new funding.
This bill authorizes the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress (1968-1982) and the first African American to seek a major party's presidential nomination (1972). The bill directs the Secretary of the Treasury to design and strike a gold medal featuring Chisholm's image and name, which will be presented to her family by congressional leaders. After presentation, the medal will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution for public viewing and research. The bill also authorizes the production and sale of bronze duplicates to cover costs. This is a commemorative measure honoring Chisholm's historic contributions to American politics and civil rights.
The Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust Congressional Gold Medal Act (S. 91) authorizes the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to 60 diplomats who risked their careers and safety to save Jewish lives during the Holocaust. These diplomats, representing countries including Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, and others, issued visas and provided safe passage to Jews fleeing Nazi persecution despite strict orders from their home governments. The medal will be presented collectively to the next of kin of each diplomat, along with representatives from their home countries, and then permanently displayed at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The act recognizes these individuals' bravery without implying they represent all who performed similar humanitarian acts during the Holocaust. The medal serves as a permanent tribute to their sacrifice and will be available for public display and research.
The RRLEF Act of 2024 (HR 10384) requires law enforcement agencies seeking Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grants to certify they do not transfer or purchase firearms from licensed dealers listed as "covered" by the ATF. A "covered" dealer is one with 25+ firearms traced to criminal use within three years in two of the past three years, per ATF data. The bill mandates the ATF publish this list annually and removes restrictions on public access to firearm tracing data. This directly affects local and state law enforcement agencies applying for Byrne grants, requiring them to avoid transactions with dealers on the public list.
SRES 74 is a Senate resolution condemning Iran's state-sponsored persecution of the Baha'i minority, which directly affects Baha'is in Iran facing systemic discrimination. The resolution calls on Iran to immediately release imprisoned Baha'is, end hate propaganda against them, and reverse policies denying equal access to education, jobs, and religious practice. It also urges the U.S. President and Secretary of State to demand Iran's compliance with international human rights treaties and use existing sanctions authority against Iranian officials responsible for abuses. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws but formally expresses congressional condemnation of Iran's violations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
This bill amends Title 28 of the U.S. Code to add "peace officer standards and training agencies" (state agencies that set hiring and training standards for law enforcement officers) to the list of entities authorized to access criminal history records. It requires the Attorney General to update federal regulations within 180 days to implement this change. The bill does not create new policy requirements or directly affect individuals; it only modifies existing legal access provisions for specific state law enforcement oversight agencies.
The End the Threat of Default Act of 2024 would repeal the statutory debt ceiling, a legal limit on how much the U.S. government can borrow. This change would eliminate the need for Congress to vote on raising the debt ceiling to avoid defaulting on government obligations like Social Security payments or military salaries. The bill also includes technical updates to other laws to remove references to the debt ceiling. The repeal would take effect 7 days after the bill is enacted.
HR 7438 directs the U.S. Treasury to mint commemorative coins for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including 100,000 $5 gold coins, 500,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar coins. The coins will be sold to the public at face value plus surcharges ($35, $10, and $5 per coin, respectively), with all surcharge revenue paid to FWC2026 US, Inc. for U.S. soccer programs. These funds must support soccer initiatives, particularly in underserved communities and youth development, as specified in the bill. The coins are legal tender but will only be issued during 2026, with no net cost to the U.S. government.
